2015 - Detroit Lions Coach of the Week - Week 7

October 16, 2015 08:56 AM

Detroit, MI—The Detroit Lions have named Josh Sellers of Traverse City St. Francis High School the week seven recipient of the 2015 Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan High School Football Coach of the Week Program.

On October 9, Coach Sellers directed the Gladiators to a 41-7 over Maple City Glen Lake to run their record to 7-0. Sellers is in his 6th season and second stint as varsity head coach at Traverse City St. Francis, having won the Division 7 State Championships in 2003 & 2005. Sellers, whose career record is 64-7, also coached football in Tennessee for 7 years and was the Traverse City St. Francis JV coach for 8 seasons. This Friday, Traverse City St. Francis, ranked #2 in Division 7, goes on the road to take on the 4-3 Kalkaska Blazers.

In terms of player health and safety, all St. Francis high school coaching staff members are CPR trained and certified. Medical coverage is available on game nights from a certified athletic trainer/physical therapist and an Orthopedic Surgeon in addition to having use of an AED at all practices and games.

High School Football Coach of the Week Program

Each week throughout the 2015 nine-week high school football regular season, one coach that best develops his players’ character, discipline, and football skill in addition to emphasizing player health and safety in their program, will be recognized for his commitment to the team, school, and community. The winner is selected by a panel of high school football media members—Mick McCabe (Detroit Free Press), Hugh Bernreuter (Saginaw News), Bret Bakita (WOOD Radio-106.9 FM, ESPN 96.1 FM-Fox 17/Grand Rapids), James Cook (Traverse City Record-Eagle) and Scott Brandenburg (Mlive.com/Muskegon).

This season’s program will award $22,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football in the state of Michigan, thanks to contributions from the Detroit Lions, the NFL Foundation and presenting partner, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan.

Each winning coach during the regular season will receive a $2,000 donation to his school’s football program. At the conclusion of the 2015 Michigan High School Football season, the Lions will also select the High School Football Coach of the Year. This season’s Coach of the Year will receive a $4,000 donation to his school’s football program. All winners will receive a certificate signed by Lions’ head coach Jim Caldwell and National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell, a personalized game ball as well as acknowledgement at an upcoming Lions home game.

Currently in its’ 19th year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $345,000 to high school football programs throughout the state of Michigan. For more information on the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program, contact Chris Fritzsching, Lions’ Director of Youth Football, at 313-262-2248.

About Farm Bureau Insurance: Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan was founded in 1949 by Michigan farmers who wanted an insurance company that worked as hard as they did. Those values still guide the company today and are a big reason why they are known as Michigan’s Insurance Company, dedicated to protecting the farms, families, and businesses of this great state. Farm Bureau Insurance agents across Michigan provide a full range of insurance services—life, home, auto, farm, business, retirement, Lake Estate®, and more—protecting nearly 500,000 Michigan policyholders.

About the NFL Foundation: The National Football League Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health and safety of athletes, youth football, and the communities which support our game.